Camera mounting system

ABSTRACT

A camera is disclosed comprising a substantially cylindrical camera body defining a longitudinal axis and a mounting system rotatably connected to the camera body, the mounting system comprising a base portion for mounting the camera to another object and at least one ring member arranged to surround the camera body and rotate around the longitudinal axis of the camera body during use.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a National Stage of International ApplicationNo. PCT/EP2016/059614, filed on Apr. 29, 2016, and designating theUnited States, which claims benefit to United Kingdom Patent Application1507347.1 filed on Apr. 29, 2015. The entire content of theseapplications is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to cameras, including still cameras andparticularly video cameras. Illustrative embodiments of the inventionrelate to video cameras for use during outdoor activities and actionsports e.g. cycling, mountain biking, hiking, climbing, skiing andsnowboarding, surfing, sky diving, sub-aqua diving, etc.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is known to mount still and video cameras so that they can recordimages or video during action sports, for example wearable video camerascan be mounted to a helmet, bicycle, surf board, etc. to capture actionfootage. So-called “action cams” can typically be mounted in differentorientations, e.g. on a helmet, but the orientation of the camera isgenerally fixed once it has been mounted in a particular position. Thiscan be problematic when activities do not take place on the level andthe camera may be tilted or inverted during use. A horizon adjustmentmay be required to adjust the orientation of the horizontal image planein relation to the mounting orientation of the camera body, e.g. duringpost-processing of video data recorded by the camera.

WO 2009/018391 A1 discloses a manual horizon adjustment control in theform of a rotary ring around the lens. Manual rotation of the ringduring use of the camera either rotates the CMOS image sensor, so thatpost-processing is not required, or encodes the video data with thecorrect horizon so that post-processing adjustment is automatic. Howeverthis requires an additional manual adjusting step every time themounting orientation is changed. WO 2012/037139 A2 shows examples of acamera mounted in different orientations with the lens manually rotatedto provide for horizon adjustment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided acamera comprising a substantially cylindrical camera body defining alongitudinal axis and a mounting system rotatably connected to thecamera body, the mounting system comprising a base portion for mountingthe camera to another object and at least one ring member arranged tosurround the camera body and rotate around the longitudinal axis of thecamera body during use.

It will be understood that such a mounting system can be rotated aroundthe camera body, so that the angular orientation of the whole camera canbe adjusted relative to the mounting system (or vice versa). Thus, evenonce the base portion is mounted in position to an object such as ahelmet, the camera body can still be rotated to adjust the horizon inthe recorded image or video data. This allows a user to orientate thecamera to the horizon without needing to adjust the lens and/or withoutan orientation sensor onboard. Usability is improved in this approachbecause it can be easier to grip and rotate the camera body, rather thantrying to manually rotate just a lens or lens ring, especially if theuser is wearing gloves for outdoor activities. This can also involvemuch lower risk of smudging the lens. Preferably the lens issubstantially fixed relative to the camera body. In other words, thelens may rotate through small angles e.g. for focusing purposes, butpreferably the lens does not rotate through angles of 90° or more.

The camera may be a still camera, but is preferably a video camera, e.g.suited for live action filming. Furthermore, the camera is preferably adigital image or digital video camera.

In a preferred set of embodiments the camera comprises a user interfacearranged on a side wall of the substantially cylindrical camera body.This means that the user interface rotates with the camera body relativeto the mounting system. Advantageously, once the mounting system hasmounted the camera to an object, the camera body can be rotated so thatthe user interface is an accessible position, e.g. on top of the camera.This allows the camera to be mounted in a number of different wayswithout interfering with useability of the user interface. Rotation ofthe camera body relative to the mounting system can ensure that theinterface is easily accessible regardless of the orientation of themounting system. The user interface may be substantially planar, ratherthan extending circumferentially around the cylindrical camera body.This can improve accessibility of the user interface, e.g. after thecamera body has been rotated to present the user interface on one sideof the camera.

The user interface may comprise one or more input means for controllingthe camera. The input means may be manually operable by a user. Theinput means may comprise one or more manually operable buttons. In oneexample the input means comprises a four-way button. In addition, oralternatively, the input means may comprise a touch screen. Such a touchscreen may also provide the user interface with a display function.

In at least some embodiments it is preferable for the camera to comprisea display, in addition to the user interface, that is separate from theuser interface. The display may be positioned in the same plane as theuser interface or in a different plane. It may be preferable for theuser interface and display to be arranged in substantially in the sameplane, so that both are equally accessible/visible for a givenorientation of the camera body. For example, the display and userinterface may be arranged on the same side wall of the camera body. In apreferred set of embodiments the display and user interface may bearranged in a single integral casing, preferably forming a substantiallyplanar unit. Such a planar unit may be arranged on a side wall of thecamera body. So as to avoid user input from obscuring the display, theuser interface may be spaced apart from the display, preferably alongthe longitudinal direction of the camera body. This spacing may be afeature of such a planar unit, where provided.

In a set of embodiments the camera may comprise a further user inputarranged on a wall of the camera body and spaced apart from the userinterface. The further user input may be provided on the same side wallof the camera body, but preferably the further user input is arranged ona different side wall or on an end wall. The further user input ispreferably arranged in a plane at substantially 90° to the plane of theuser interface. It will be understood that an end wall of thecylindrical camera body is one which is generally perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis, whereas a side wall is one which is generallyparallel to the longitudinal axis. Preferably the further user input isarranged on an end wall of the cylindrical camera body. Most preferablythe further user input is arranged substantially centrally on the endwall, for example in coincidence with the longitudinal axis of thecamera body. The further user input may therefore be found in the sameposition regardless of rotation of the camera body relative to themounting system. Such a further user input may provide a specificfunction, for example controlling start and/or stop recording of videodata. In one example the further user input comprises a one-way button.

Turning to the mounting system, the camera's useability can be enhancedby enabling the camera body to be mounted in a number of differentorientations. In various embodiments, the ring member(s) may be arrangedto rotate around the longitudinal axis of the camera body by up to 90°,180°, 270° or even rotation through substantially 360°. However, atleast in embodiments where the camera comprises a user interface on aside wall of the camera body, it may be preferable to limit the totalrange of rotation to a maximum of up to about 270° or less, preferablyup to about 180°. Such a range of rotation may be defined with referenceto the position of the user interface, where one is provided. In apreferred set of embodiments the mounting system is arranged to have aneutral position where its base portion is at an opposite side of thecamera body to the user interface. In other words, the base portion maybe diametrically opposite the user interface in this neutral position.The ring member(s) may be arranged to rotate around the longitudinalaxis of the camera body by up to about ±90° relative to such a neutralposition. This means that the base portion of the mounting system doesnot have to rotate past the user interface, or other components, on anopposite side wall of the camera body. Otherwise clearance may be neededbetween the mounting system and the camera body, for example between thebase portion and the camera body. This may also avoid interference withthe way in which the base portion mounts the camera to another object.

The ring member(s) could be arranged to rotate substantially freelyaround the longitudinal axis of the camera body during use, allowing forease of adjustment in the camera's angular position. However the weightdistribution of the camera may result in a tendency for the camera bodyto rotate relative to the mounting system rather than staying in amounting position chosen by a user. It may therefore be preferable forthe mounting system to include some resistance to rotation of the ringmember(s) relative to the camera body. This could be achieved, forexample, by providing a friction lining between the ring member(s) andthe camera body. In a preferred set of embodiments, at least one of thering members comprises a toothed internal surface. The toothed internalsurface provides some resistance to rotation, so the mounting systemmust be forcibly rotated relative to the camera body. This enables auser to adjust the rotational position of the camera without it easilyslipping out of position. The toothed internal surface may form part ofa two-way ratchet mechanism, which preferably comprises two ratchetsprings; one ratchet spring for the positive (clockwise) rotationrelative to the neutral point, and the other ratchet spring for thenegative (anti-clockwise) rotation relative to the neutral point.

In the mounting system, the base portion and at least one ring membermay be separate parts that are connected together. However, it ispreferable that the at least one ring member is integrally formed withat least part of the base portion. This can enhance the structuralintegrity of the mounting system. In addition, or alternatively, in aset of embodiments the mounting system may comprise two ring membersspaced apart along the longitudinal axis of the camera body. The tworing members may be spaced apart by the base portion extending along thelongitudinal axis of the camera body between the two ring members.Preferably the base portion is connected to both of the ring members.Each ring member may be integrally formed with at least a part of thebase portion, either the same part or different parts. Where the baseportion is formed of two or more different parts, they may be connectedtogether by any suitable means, either directly or indirectly.

In a set of embodiments the mounting system comprises a pair of ringmembers, comprising a first ring member integrally formed with a firstpart of the base portion and a second ring member integrally formed witha second part of the base portion. The first and second parts of thebase portion may be separate but connected together by a chassis orlever mechanism, as is described in more detail below.

The mounting system enables the camera to be mounted in position toanother object, for example a helmet. The base portion of the mountingsystem may be mounted directly or indirectly to such an object. Invarious embodiments the mounting system is indirectly mounted to anobject by a suitable mounting interface. The mounting system may beremovably connected to such a mounting interface. The mounting interfacemay be adapted to a particular type of object, for example a surfacemounting interface for a helmet (or other flat or slightly curvedsurface) or a clamping mounting interface for the handlebars of abicycle (or other tube-shaped component).

The base portion may include one or more apertures, or any otherfeature, that enables a mounting interface to be removably connected tothe mounting system. In a set of embodiments the base portion comprisesa pair of levers arranged on top of one another to pivot in-plane andthereby enable connection or disconnection of a mounting interface tothe mounting system. Such pivoting levers may act like a pair ofscissors to clamp the base portion onto a mounting interface. Preferablythe levers are substantially flat so as to minimise the profile of thebase portion. Such pivoting levers may take the place of a chassis andact to connect together first and second parts of the base portion that,as described above, provide first and second ring members of themounting system.

The use of a mounting system with a base portion comprising a pair oflevers is seen to be new and advantageous in its own right. Thus,according to a second aspect of the present invention there is provideda camera comprising a mounting system including a base portion formounting the camera to another object, wherein the base portioncomprises a pair of levers arranged on top of one another to pivotin-plane to enable connection or disconnection of a mounting interfaceto the mounting system.

Each of the levers may include an aperture for receiving a correspondingfeature of a mounting interface. Preferably the levers may be pivotedapart by a resilient member, such as a spring, so that the apertures aremisaligned to thereby disable connection or disconnection of a mountinginterface to the mounting system. A user must therefore force the leverstogether so that they are aligned one on top of the other before acorresponding feature can be engaged or disengaged. This may provide aquick-release mechanism for connecting the base portion to a mountinginterface.

In such embodiments the mounting system of the camera may be removablyconnected to a mounting interface that is designed to engage with thebase portion. The mounting interface may comprise one or more protrudingT-bar features that mate with one or more corresponding apertures in thebase portion, for example apertures formed in a pair of scissor-likepivoting levers. Such T-bar features may be chamfered to aid frictionalengagement. Preferably the mounting interface is substantially planarexcept for the protruding T-bar features. However the mounting interfacemay have a lower surface that is flat or slightly curved, to enable themounting interface to be seated on different objects. In addition, oralternatively, the mounting interface may comprise one or more portionsformed of a compressible material, such as rubber. Such portions may beprovided on any suitable surface of the mounting interface, butpreferably on an upper surface that comes into contact with the mountingsystem and/or camera body. The portions of compressible material canimprove the fit of the camera on the mount and help to absorb anyvibrations arising from the object to which the camera is mounted, forexample when the mounting interface is worn by a person during sport orphysical activity

The use of a mounting interface with protruding T-bar features and oneor more portions of a compressible material is seen to be new andadvantageous in its own right. Thus, according to a third aspect of thepresent invention there is provided a mounting interface for engagingwith a mounting system of a camera, wherein the mounting interfacecomprises one or more T-bar features protruding from a surface of themounting interface that are arranged to engage with correspondingapertures in the mounting system of the camera, and wherein the mountinginterface further comprises one or more portions formed of acompressible material on the surface.

It is preferable for the mounting system to reflect the cylindricalgeometry of the camera body, so that it can be rotated around the bodyeasily. In a set of embodiments the base portion extends along thecamera body and the at least one ring member extends substantiallyperpendicular to the base portion. Accordingly, the base portion may runalong a side wall of the cylindrical camera body while the ringmember(s) engage around a circumference of the camera body. In variousembodiments the mounting system preferably comprises two ring membersspaced apart by the base portion. As is described above, the two ringmembers may be integrally formed with one or more parts of the baseportion.

The mounting system may be made of any suitable material(s) including,but not limited to, metallic and/or rigid plastics materials. Where thecamera is intended to be used in harsh environments it may be importantfor the mounting system to be rugged and able to withstand shock. In apreferred set of embodiments the base portion and/or the or each ringmember is formed of spring steel, preferably spring stainless steel.This can help to make the mounting system strong and resilient. Thechoice of spring steel for the ring member(s) can advantageously enablea snap-fit onto the camera body.

In various embodiments, a mounting interface may be connected to thebase portion in a permanent or removable manner. In many embodiments itis preferable for a mounting interface to be removably connected to thebase portion of the mounting system, so as to allow different mountinginterfaces to be interchanged. A user may therefore attach a mountinginterface that is suitable for mounting the camera to a particularobject, for example a mounting interface designed to be fixed on ahelmet or other sports equipment. Preferably the mounting interface isprovided by one or more of: an adhesive mount, a strap mount, a chestmount, a tripod mount, a tripod adapter, a suction cup mount, a helmetmount, a board mount, a magnetic mount, a ball joint mount, a tongue andgroove mount, a strap mount, a goggle mount, an arm mount, anarticulated mount, a telescoping arm, or an adaptor for retrofitting toany other kind of mount. The mounting interface may be directly formedby such a mount or attached to such a mount as an intermediateinterface. The mounting interface may comprise a flat or curved surface.The mounting interface may be made of a plastics material. This canfacilitate injection moulding of the interface to easily achieve adesired shape and configuration.

Some further features will now be described which can enhance thecompactness and useability of the camera. In a preferred set ofembodiments the camera body houses a removable power pack comprising abattery module and a data storage module housed in a common casing toform an integrated unit. Such a power pack represents a completelydifferent approach to the battery units normally connected to a camera,as it combines a battery module with a data storage module, such as aslot for a memory card or other data storage medium. This means that auser can quickly and easily swap the integrated unit to replace bothbattery and memory in one step, which is much more efficient especiallywhen out action filming. Preferably the casing exposes one or moreelectrical connectors for transmitting power and data between the powerpack and the camera during use. This can allow the camera to write imageor video data files directly to the removable power pack. The one ormore electrical connectors may provide for two-way data communicationbetween the power pack and the camera. The camera may include asystem-on-chip (SoC) processor for image and/or video data recorded inthe data storage module.

A further advantage of the integrated nature of such a removable powerpack is that it may more easily be made waterproof, water resistant orsplash resistant e.g. using the common casing to protect both thebattery module and data storage module. Furthermore, the Applicant hasrecognised that by combining both power and data in a single power packit can be easier for the entire camera to be made waterproof. In aparticularly preferred set of embodiments the power pack comprises aseal extending around a peripheral surface of the casing. When the powerpack is installed in or on the camera body, the seal ensures that watercannot penetrate beyond the seal to reach the electrical connector(s).The seal may also prevent moisture from reaching other components of thebattery module and/or data storage module. In this novel approach thepower pack provides its own seal rather than trying to seal the multipleopenings present in a conventional camera e.g. battery compartment andmemory card slot. If the rest of the camera is waterproof then such apower pack means that an external waterproof casing may no longer berequired. This represents a major advantage over existing actioncameras. In particular, the seal means that the power pack can beremoved and replaced directly from the waterproof camera. It is nolonger necessary to open and close a separate waterproof case whenswapping over the battery during use, making it quicker for a user withless risk of missing out on action footage. Preferably the camera has awater resistant rating of at least IPX7. This International ProtectionMarking, according to IEC standard 60529, rates the degree of protectionprovided against liquid intrusion by mechanical casings and electricalenclosures. A rating of IPX7 means that the camera can withstandimmersion in water depths of up to 1 m for up to 30 minutes. In someembodiments the camera may have a water resistant rating of IPX8,meaning that it is waterproof in depths over 1 m, and preferably indepths up to 50 m. In other words, such a waterproof camera maywithstand up to 5 atm of water pressure. Such a water-resistant orwaterproof camera may be a still camera, but is preferably a videocamera e.g. suited for live action filming.

Preferably the power pack is inserted at least partially into the camerabody so that it is substantially protected by the camera body onceinstalled. This can help to ensure that the power pack is shielded fromknocks when the camera is used during sports activities. In a preferredset of embodiments the camera body comprises an open cavity arranged toreceive the removable power pack therein. It is further preferable thatthe cavity has dimensions substantially matching the power pack suchthat, when the power pack is installed in the cavity, it forms part of acontinuous surface of the camera body. Accordingly the power pack doesnot stand proud of the camera body, like a conventional add-onaccessory, but integrates with the camera body. The resulting camera canbe compact rather than bulky.

The cylindrical camera body may have an opening at one end for thecavity to receive the removable power pack. This can make it quick andeasy for a user to install the power pack by sliding it axially into thecavity through the opening. It is convenient for the power pack to havea shape matching the cylindrical geometry of the camera body. The powerpack may therefore be substantially circular in cross-section, with acircular geometry for the sealing interface (e.g. one or more O-rings).Preferably the power pack is substantially cylindrical in shape. Inembodiments where the power pack is installed in an open cavity in thecamera body, the cavity may also be substantially cylindrical.

The camera may further include one or more sensors. Such sensors may bechosen from one or more of: a microphone; an audio transmitter e.g.buzzer; a barometric altimeter; an accelerometer; a compass; or apressure sensor. It is already mentioned above that the camera does notrequire an orientation sensor to adjust the horizon in recorded imagesor video, but the camera could still include an orientation sensor suchas a gyroscope, for example a three-axis gyro.

In various embodiments the camera includes a wireless transceiver, forexample a short-range transceiver using infrared or radio frequencycommunication (e.g. Bluetooth protocol). This can enable the camera towirelessly connect with one or more external sensors or devices, such asa heart rate monitor, cadence sensor, power meter, GPS-enabled watch,mobile telecommunications device, etc. Data from such external sensorsor devices may be integrated with the image or video data recorded bythe camera, and/or used to control the image or video data recorded bythe camera.

The present invention in accordance with any of its aspects orembodiments may include any of the features described in reference toother aspects or embodiments of the invention to the extent it is notmutually inconsistent therewith. Advantages of these embodiments are setout hereafter, and further details and features of each of theseembodiments are defined in the accompanying dependent claims andelsewhere in the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various aspects of the teachings of the present invention, andarrangements embodying those teachings, will hereafter be described byway of illustrative example with reference to the accompanying drawings,in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a camera and mounting system according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an assembled view of the mounting system;

FIG. 3A is an exploded view of the mounting system of FIG. 2, FIG. 3B isan exploded view of the mounting system according to another embodiment,FIGS. 3C and 3D show some detail of the mounting system of FIG. 3B,FIGS. 3E and 3F show mounting interfaces for use with such mountingsystems;

FIGS. 4A to 4C show various views of such a camera and mounting system;and

FIGS. 5A and 5B show a front view of such a camera with the mountingsystem rotated through 90°.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

There is generally seen in FIG. 1 a camera 2 connected to a mountingsystem 4. The camera 2 has a cylindrical camera body 6 defining alongitudinal axis L. A lens barrel 18 is arranged on the longitudinalaxis L. The mounting system 4 is rotatably connected to the camera body6 such that the camera 2 can be rotated around the longitudinal axis Lrelative to the mounting system 4. This will be described in more detailbelow.

FIG. 2 shows the mounting system 4 in an assembled state without thecamera body 6 present. It can be seen that the mounting system 4comprises a base portion 8 and a pair of ring members 10 a, 10 b thatare sized so as to surround the camera body 6 when the mounting system 4is connected to the camera 2. It may be seen that the ring member 10 awhich is positioned closest to the lens barrel 18 has a toothed internalsurface. This provides friction so that the ring member 10 a does notrotate freely and a user must apply enough force to move the toothedsurface for the mounting system 4 to rotate.

The exploded view of FIG. 3A shows the components of the mounting system4 in more detail. Each of the ring members 10 a, 10 b is provided by anL-shaped piece of stainless spring steel, the ring members 10 a, 10 bextending at 90° to respective longitudinal members 10 c, 10 d whichform part of the base portion 8. The base portion 8 is formed byconnecting the longitudinal members 10 c, 10 d to a chassis plate 12. Tohold the base portion 8 together, fastening screws are inserted throughholes 16 in the two longitudinal members 10 c, 10 d. The chassis plate12 is injection moulded from a plastics material and provides aninterlocking shape that positions the two longitudinal members 10 c, 10d so as to locate the two ring members 10 a, 10 b a fixed distance apartalong the longitudinal axis L. The chassis plate 12 includes a clearancehole 14 that is sized to accept size ¼-20 UNC thread e.g. for a tripod.

Also seen in FIG. 3A is a separate mounting interface 30 that can beremovably connected to the base portion 8 of the mounting system 4. Themounting interface 30 is shown as a plate having a flat bottom surface,but it may instead have a slightly curved surface e.g. for mounting to ahelmet or handlebar. The mounting interface 30 is injection moulded froma plastics material and includes two protruding T-bar features 30 a, 30b that mate with corresponding apertures in the two longitudinal members10 c, 10 d of the base portion 8. The resilience of the spring steel, incombination with a chamfer on the T-bar features 30 a, 30 b, means thatthe mounting interface 30 can be gripped by the mounting system 4 tosecure the camera 2 on the mount.

FIG. 3B shows an embodiment of the mounting system 4 in which thechassis plate 12 has been replaced by a pair of planar levers 33 a, 33 bthat are sandwiched between the longitudinal members 10 c, 10 d in thebase portion 8. The two levers 33 a, 33 b are connected together topivot in their plane. The levers 33 a, 33 b are shown in more detail inFIG. 3C. As is seen in FIG. 3D, the levers 33 a, 33 b are forced topivot apart by a spring 35. In order to demount the camera 2 from themounting interface 30, the levers 33 a, 33 b can be pinched sideways tocompress the spring 35 and align the levers 33 a, 33 b on top of oneanother. Alignment of apertures in the levers 33 a, 33 b allows theT-bar features 30 a, 30 b to be released from the base portion 8. Themounting interface 30 can therefore provide for a quick release.

FIGS. 3E and 3F show some different versions of the mounting interface30. In FIG. 3E the mounting interface 30 has a flat lower surface,whereas in FIG. 3F the mounting interface 30 has a curved lower surface.In both embodiments the mounting interface 30 includes a pair ofprotruding T-bar features 30 a, 30 b on its upper surface. In addition,the mounting interface 30 includes two strips 31 a, 31 b of compressiblematerial. These strips 31 a, 31 b help to ensure that the camera body 6is mounted without vibration.

The different views seen in FIGS. 4A to 4C show the camera 2 connectedto the mounting system 4 with the two ring members 10 a, 10 bsurrounding the camera body 6.

As can be seen in FIGS. 4A to 4C, a user interface 20 is arranged on atop side wall of the camera body 6. The user interface 20 is a generallyplanar unit comprising a display 22 spaced longitudinally from afour-way manual input button 24.

As seen in FIG. 4C, another user control button 26 is exposed on a backend wall of the camera body 6. This user control button 26 may becarried on the end surface of a removable power pack that is insertedinto the camera body 6. As the user control button 26 is positionedcentrally in the back end wall of the camera body 6, it remains centredon the longitudinal axis L despite rotation of the camera 2 relative tothe mounting system 4. Below the user control 26 there is seen anauxiliary input port 28 allowing an auxiliary power supply cable to beconnected to the camera 2, in particular to a power pack installed inthe camera body 6. This may be used, for example, to recharge thebattery of the camera 2.

FIGS. 5A and 5B provide a front profile view of the camera 2 in twodifferent positions. In FIG. 5A the camera 2 is mounted in a vertical(neutral) position, with the user interface 20 positioned above the baseportion 8 of the mounting system 4 i.e. at an angle of 180°. In FIG. 5Bthe mounting system 4 has been rotated through 90° relative to thecamera 2, so that the user interface 20 remains in the same verticalposition but the camera 2 can be mounted onto the side of an objectrather than on top of an object. The mounting system 4 may be rotated by+/−90° from the vertical (neutral) position so as to enable the camera 2to be mounted from either the right or left side. Furthermore, rotationthrough a range of greater than 180° may be possible by providingclearance between the base portion 8 of the mounting system 4 and thecamera body 6, so that the mounting system 4 can be rotated evenfurther.

The mounting system 4 may be removably connected onto an object such asa helmet, handlebar, or the like by any suitable mounting interface. Amounting interface may be in the form of a ball mount, which would allowthe mounting system 4 to be tilted and rotated through a range ofangles, in addition to rotation of the camera 2 relative to the mountingsystem 4. This further increases the flexibility available in the numberof different ways that the camera 2 can be mounted.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A camera, comprising: a substantiallycylindrical camera body defining a longitudinal axis; a lens barrelarranged on the longitudinal axis; and a mounting system rotatablyconnected to the camera body, wherein the mounting system comprises: abase portion for mounting the camera to another object, the base portionextending along a side wall of the camera body; and at least one ringmember engaging around a circumference of the camera body, such that themounting system is rotatable around the camera body.
 2. The camera ofclaim 1, comprising a user interface arranged on a side wall of thesubstantially cylindrical camera body.
 3. The camera of claim 2, whereinthe user interface is substantially planar.
 4. The camera of claim 2,wherein the user interface comprises one or more manually operablebuttons.
 5. The camera of claim 2, comprising a display arrangedsubstantially in the same plane as the user interface.
 6. The camera ofclaim 5, wherein the display is spaced apart from the user interface. 7.The camera of claim 2, comprising a further user input spaced apart fromthe user interface and arranged on an end wall of the substantiallycylindrical camera body.
 8. The camera of claim 1, wherein the range ofrotation of the at least one ring member is limited to a maximum of upto about 180°.
 9. The camera of claim 1, wherein the at least one ringmember comprises a toothed internal surface.
 10. The camera of claim 1,wherein the mounting system comprises two ring members spaced apart bythe base portion extending along the longitudinal axis of the camerabody between the two ring members.
 11. The camera of claim 1, whereinthe or each ring member is integrally formed with at least a part of thebase portion.
 12. The camera of claim 1, wherein at least one of thebase portion and the at least one ring member is formed of spring steel.13. The camera of claim 1, wherein a mounting interface is removablyconnected to the base portion of the mounting system.
 14. The camera ofclaim 1, wherein the camera body houses a removable power packcomprising a battery module and a data storage module housed in a commoncasing to form an integrated unit.
 15. The camera of claim 14, whereinthe casing exposes one or more electrical connectors for transmittingpower and data between the power pack and the camera during use.
 16. Thecamera of claim 15, wherein the one or more electrical connectorsprovide for two-way data communication between the power pack and thecamera.
 17. The camera of claim 14, wherein the power pack comprises aseal extending around a peripheral surface of the casing.
 18. The cameraof claim 1, wherein the camera is a video camera.
 19. The camera ofclaim 1, wherein the mounting system is rotatable around thelongitudinal axis of the camera body.